Crate for shipping bicycles



(No Model.)

- W. 0. FEAR.

CRATE FOR SHIPPING BIGYGLES.

' No. 581,151. Patented Apr. 20, 1897.

WITNESSES Q INVENTOR 9 m [1/ m J- .ditorlwy I ATENT Enron.

WVILLIAM C. FEAR, OF SUMMITVILLE, INDIANA.

CRATE FOR SHIPPING BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 581,151, dated April20, 1897.

Application filed March 28, 1896. Serial No. 585,245. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM 0. FEAR, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Summitville, in the county of Madison and State ofIndiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crates forShipping Bicycles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of my invention withbicycle inclosed. Fig. 2 is asimilar view showing modifications.

The object of this invention is to provide I maybe employed. This stripis usually about six inches wide and half an inch thick and is longenough to go entirely around any wheel in the manner shown in thedrawings. It may, however, be of any needed width and in two separateparts. The two ends of the strip are united bylapping and nailing, or,as shown, by means of a short piece B, which is secured to theapproximated ends, or in any other suitable manner. The lower lateralportions of the strip are bent to conform closely to the outer orexposed portions of the wheels, the tires of which are therebyeffectually protected. Secured to the inner face of this strip are fouror more suitable blocks or holders 0, which prevent the wheels wabblingor turning. I usually provide two of these blocks or holders for eachwheel, one underneath the wheel and one near the top at each side. In

the drawings these blocks are shown as consisting each of a short pieceof wood secured transversely to the strip A and concaved to fit thetire. I may, however, employ leather or any other suitable style ofholders for this purpose, or the protector A may itself be bent andshaped to accomplish the desired purpose, as indicated in Fig. 2.

D designates a central brace which consists of two flat strips, one uponeach side of the wheel, their upper and lower ends being secured to thestrip A. E E are rear braces of similar character but arrangedobliquely, and F F are forward braces of similar character.

The strip A is preferably made in two pieces for convenience inshipping, their ends being suitably fastened together. Where the ends ofthe strip or strips meet at the bottom they are preferably turned upinto edgewise positions, as shown. The effect of this is to enable thecrate to stand more firmly on its base.

As will appear from the drawings, the crate above described affordsefficient protection to the wheel during shipment, is compact, taking upbut little more room than the wheel itself, and is light andinexpensive.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described crate forshipping bicycles consisting of a stripor strips bent entirely around the bicycle, braces which connect theupper and lower portions of the said strips, the lower portions of thestrip or strips, between the two wheels of the bicycle, be ingbent intoed gewise position, substantially as specified.

2. The herein-described crate for shipping bicycles, consisting of abent strip or strips extending entirely around the bicycle, the lowerlateral portions thereof being shaped to fit the outer portions of thewheels, and being, above and below such portions, bent inwardly againstthe wheels to :form holders therefor, and brace-strips which connect theupper and the base portions of said strip or strips, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature-

